Review of underground hydrogen storage: Concepts and challenges (original) (raw)
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International Geomechanics Symposium, 2023
Hydrogen is taking a significant lead as a complementary energy carrier. One of the most significant structural challenges in the hydrogen supply chain is storing large volumes to ensure stability between generation, delivery, and utilization. In this context, geological storage in salt caverns stands out as the most promising technology. Salt caverns mined by leaching have unique physicochemical characteristics such as negligible permeability under high gas pressures (avoiding leakage), self-healing, higher levels of stability, and stress safety shield due to the creep phenomenon. Also, it allows higher injection and withdrawal ratios of Hydrogen, meeting cycles between demand and production, a minor need for cushion gas, and more controllable construction from the point of view of monitoring and tightness. At the end of the operational life of the storage system, the cushion gas can be extracted just by injecting brine into the cavern. This article presents a geomechanical case study of hydrogen storage in salt caverns in a speculative geological site within the boundary limits found in evaporite basins (Moriak 2008, 2012). It will also be presented the design of caverns in the same geological site to store natural gas with high content of CO2. It will demonstrate the patented technology of gravitational separation of natural gas and CO2 that occurs inside the salt caverns, as the density of the CO2 is larger than the natural gas (Costa, 2018).
Hydrogen Storage in Geological Formations—The Potential of Salt Caverns
Energies
Hydrogen-based technologies are among the most promising solutions to fulfill the zero-emission scenario and ensure the energy independence of many countries. Hydrogen is considered a green energy carrier, which can be utilized in the energy, transport, and chemical sectors. However, efficient and safe large-scale hydrogen storage is still challenging. The most frequently used hydrogen storage solutions in industry, i.e., compression and liquefaction, are highly energy-consuming. Underground hydrogen storage is considered the most economical and safe option for large-scale utilization at various time scales. Among underground geological formations, salt caverns are the most promising for hydrogen storage, due to their suitable physicochemical and mechanical properties that ensure safe and efficient storage even at high pressures. In this paper, recent advances in underground storage with a particular emphasis on salt cavern utilization in Europe are presented. The initial experience...
Hydrogen Underground Storage as a Critical Factor in the Energy Transition Period
Technical Gazette, 2021
In this paper, the authors elaborated on the conversion of excess electricity, generated from renewable energy sources by water electrolysis, into chemical energy and on its underground storing. Specifically, one of potential solutions in the function of transition and decarbonization of the energy sector is a project of conversion and storage of wind and solar energy, that is, underground storage of chemical energy (hydrogen). In the primary cycle of producing and storing hydrogen, underground storing of hydrogen (UHS) in geological formations is a crucial factor in storing large volumes of energy for a theoretically longer, or an indefinite period. The paper presents possibilities of using the stated technology in Croatia by using a small standard underground gas storage facility (UGS). The article presents technical-technological process of producing and underground storing of hydrogen: from generating electricity through renewable energy sources or other industrial processes generating waste energy, the production of hydrogen and its compression, transport and storage in underground geological formations. In this paper, the authors will also elaborate on the status of the EU States´ regulations, which present the main factor for the previously mentioned activities, as well as on the necessary changes that the relevant regulations need to undergo.
Storage Integrity during Underground Hydrogen Storage in Depleted Gas Reservoirs
The transition of energy from fossil fuels to renewable energy particularly hydrogen is becoming the centre of decarbonization and roadmap to achieve net-zero carbon emission. To meet the requirement of large-scale hydrogen storage as a key part of hydrogen supply chain, underground hydrogen storage can be the ultimate solution to economically store hydrogen thus meet global energy demand. Compared to other types of subsurface storage sites such as salt caverns and aquifers which are limited to geographical locations, depleted gas reservoirs have been raising more interest because of the wider distribution and higher storage capacity. However, safely storing and cycling of hydrogen in depleted gas reservoirs requires caprock, reservoir and wellbore to remain high stability and integrity. Nevertheless, current research on storage integrity during underground hydrogen in depleted gas reservoirs is still scarce and non-systemic. We therefore reviewed the major challenges on storage int...
Energies, 2022
Hydrogen is becoming an increasingly important energy carrier in sector integration for fuel cell transportation, heat and electricity. Underground salt caverns are one of the most promising ways to store the hydrogen obtained from water electrolysis using power generation from renewable energy sources (RES). At the same time, the production of hydrogen can be used to avoid energy curtailments during times of low electricity demand or low prices. The stored hydrogen can also be used during times of high energy demand for power generation, e.g., with fuel cells, to cover the fluctuations and shortages caused by low RES generation. This article presents an overview of the techniques that were used and proposed for using excess energy from RES for hydrogen production from water and its storage techniques, especially in underground salt caverns, for the aforementioned purpose, and its feasibility. This paper compares and summarizes the competing technologies based on the current state-o...
Geologic storage of hydrogen: Scaling up to meet city transportation demands
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2014
Over the last decade, there has been a growing interest in large-scale use of hydrogen in the transportation and renewable energy sectors. Relatively cost-effective storage options at scale are essential to realize the full potential of hydrogen as an energy carrier. Underground geologic storage of hydrogen could offer substantial storage cost reductions as well as buffer capacity to meet possible disruptions in supply or changing seasonal demands. Several geologic storage site options are being considered including salt caverns, depleted oil and/or gas reservoirs, aquifers, and hard rock caverns. This paper describes an economic analysis that addresses the costs entailed in developing and operating a geologic storage facility. The analysis focuses on salt caverns to illustrate potential city demand for hydrogen using geostorage options because (1) salt caverns are known to successfully contain hydrogen, and (2) there is more geotechnical certainty involved with salt storage as compared to the other three storage options. The main findings illustrate that geologic limitations rather than city demand cause a larger disparity between costs from one city to the next. For example Detroit hydrogen storage within salt caverns will cost approximately three times more than Los Angeles with its larger population. Detroit is located near thinly bedded salt formations, whereas Los Angeles has access to more massive salt formations. Los Angeles requires the development of larger and fewer caverns and therefore has lower costs.